April 26, it's been a busy few months with different activities and normalising life here in Kuwait. I joined the BLS (British Ladies Society) Kuwait and enjoying several tours together.
An impressive visit was to the Arab Organisations Headquarters which is home to companies focusing on Arab development. The building was completed in 1994 and is a national landmark. 'From the cool tranquillity of the Moroccan water wall to the intricate woodwork of the majestic Egyptian Mashrabiya, the building represents a celebration of traditional Arabic artisan skills'.
The beauty is in the details.
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| These doors are impressive |
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| Hand crafted tiling everywhere |
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| Space for reflection and worship |
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| This photo gives a small glimpse of the sheer size of this building |
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| Inner courtyard view from 3rd floor |
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| Some of the ladies from the BLS |
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| Gold, gild, crystals, mosaic, mirror...millions of tiny detail |
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View looking up to the spiral staircase
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I took on two roles over the last months; first as a volunteer for the local children's hospice. A striking facility, hospice is a relatively new concept in Kuwait and the majority of patients are cared for at home. BACCH (Bayt Abdullah Children's Hospice) sprawls out on the waterfront on the edge of a mini-city - complete with floor to ceiling tropical marine aquarium and outdoor ferris wheel also brightly coloured fully self-contained family units, and a full cinema theatre, patients and their families are well catered for.
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| Kuwait cookies made for National Kuwait Day |
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| A grand entrance |
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| Part of the activities for the children at hospice |
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| Happy Children |
The other role I enjoy is as librarian for the BLS. Every Thursday I check, catalogue, return and scan books for the library. One special task is to scan for any possible controversial items so that what we stock is not in conflict with Islam.
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| BLS - time to make marmalade with Seville oranges from the British Embassy |
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| A 'dot' painting by the former librarian of BLS |
Funny to spot this book available for sale where homosexuality is illegal.
Another lovely outing was to the exhibition of art including work from Venetia Norris. Displayed in a modern light private home/studio artworks were displayed on 3 levels.
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| Venetia's work |
Venetia specialises in botanical drawings using graphite exploring the beauty she finds in nature.
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| I still love doors |
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| An inviting studio |
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| AWARE centre discussion on Marriage in Kuwait |
Another BLS trip was to the AWARE (Advocate for Westerners-Arab Relations centre) is a non-profit, non-government and non-political organisation working to promote positive, constructive relations between Westerners and Arabs. We learned many fascinating facts about marriage in Kuwait. An Islamic contract is signed between the groom and ranking male member of the bride's family to ensure the bride will be well cared for by her new husband and family. A man may take up to 4 wives as long as he can support and treat them all equally. The latest in the news regarding divorce - around 60% of marriages end in divorce. Kuwait made world news recently where the groom called the bride 'stupid' and she called for a divorce 3 minutes after becoming wed.
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| TLCM |
This year I have enjoyed being part of the Christian fellowship at The Lighthouse Church in the area of Mishref which borders our neighbourhood of Bayan. TLC is the only registered Christian church in Kuwait.
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| Entrance to TLCM |
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| Kuwait National Day |
National day in Kuwait is a source of pride for most Kuwait's with homes adorned in lights and special lighting displays in each area.
A small group of ladies from the BLS enjoyed a super entertaining visit to the only 'mosaic home' in the world. The owner and creator, Italian born Lidia Qattan, married to Kuwait famous (now deceased) Khalifa Qattan began her mosaic work in 1966. She covered the entire inside and outside of her home in hand crafted designs and art pieces. With many of the rooms carrying a theme such as 'Planet Earth', 'Zodiac' and 'Knowledge' halls each space reflects a quirky sense of Lidia's style. The first floor encompasses Khalifa's artwork. A programmed 2 hour visit, turned to 3 hours in the blink of a twinkling eye. Well worth a visit.
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| Lidia Qattan |
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| A bits n bobs creation |
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| Art Museum |
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| The artist holding her book 'Rulers of Kuwait' standing in her husband's library |
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| Intergallactic journey |
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| The ceiling painted in Lidia's daughters room |
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| In the kitchen |
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| A special seat in a special elevator |
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| Special effects |
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| Colourful rooms |
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| A young Lidia painted by Khalifa |
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| A magical glittery staircase |
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| Serving us cinnamon tea and yoghurt cake |
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| Lidia describing her husband's work |
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| Standing out in the street |
Out and about Kuwait.
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| Favourite house - photo thanks to Janis |
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| Farewell to Ozzie Antonia (right) with friends Janis and Alice |
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| Missing my friend Jo who's now living in the UK...a bit cool there pet! |
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| A ruptured water main on Kuwait road |
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| Time for a couple of nights at The Palms |
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| Entrance light |
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| Always welcoming flowers |
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| walking around near The Palms |
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| I think we may have to go here Shani van Dijk! |
Out for a walk on the waterfront and always there are numerous quite well fed bin kitties.
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| Sharon at Fantasy |
Well, this sounds a bit dodgy but I finally found a massage 'spa' after much searching and only using a hand drawn map and instructions to look for a 'black door'...no signage or advertising. Everything is expensive here in Kuwait so I heard about a cheaper option for a massage. And it was good! A group of Filipino ladies are always welcoming in this women-only zone. The other type of massage parlour are illegal in Kuwait.
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| Water fountain |
Liam and Shani will be joining us in Kuwait and we're all heading over to Holland for a few weeks with the family. This year we had not expected to take a trip home to New Zealand but a change in policy meant I needed to head home to receive our household which had been in storage for nearly 7 years. It was a bonus time to have with family and friends and get a few chores done.
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| Making sure he doesn't get forgotten on top of my hand luggage |
But before I head off to NZ here are two big events that happened in family.
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| Engelbert turned 50! |
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| GranTy and Pam got married |
Arriving in New Zealand and staying with Liam and Shani at Waitara was bliss. Quiet, relaxing and just special to have time with the kids.
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| Waitara home gates |
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| A visit to the Hatch's and Chloe took this of the humble feijoa, sadly not quite ripe enough for me to eat |
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| Hatch chickens - photo by Chloe |
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| Crikey! |
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| Out for a meal with Trish and Wayne |
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| On the road to Wanganui |
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| A day without my car saw me enjoy public transport New Plymouth |
This was one very friendly and helpful bus driver. Well done NP transport.
Liam's truck driving all over the north island so this day we met for a cuppa on his whizz through Wanganui.
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| I met this truckie for a cuppa |
March 15 saw two mosque shootings leaving 50 dead and many wounded by a lone armed terrorist.
So proud of this guy, Wade Satherley for putting his hand up to head down to Christchurch to support his Police colleagues and Christchurch.
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| You can see Wade in action on the program Highway Cops NZ |
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| The Imports - Police from around NZ bound for Christchurch. |
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| Listening to the stirring Arabic speech on telly with Liam |
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| Trish honouring the Muslim victims |
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| Within a short space of time Kuwait was honouring NZ with The Towers lit with our flag |
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| Antz home |
While Wade was in Christchurch my SIL Sue, received a phone call to say Anthony's home was on fire so she jumped in the car for the 2 hour plus journey to help him out. She found Antz safe from the fire but very sick so he was carted off to hospital where he had emergency surgery. Well done sis! And good on Katelyn Satherley, my niece for all her hard work, doing lots of driving and supporting her family during this tough time. Could have been a much different outcome for Antz.
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| The Unpack |
After a very long wait it was time to unpack, inspect, repack and store our household items of 191 boxes! A big job and now its time to head back to Kuwait and Jeroen and Charlie.
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| Rambutan and Snake fruit |
A quick stop in Bali for a change and time to sample the delicious local fruits. Fresh and tasty.
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| Happy happy kitty. Mum's home! |
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| Charlie and Dobie |
We invited a work colleague over for dinner and invited his cat, Dobie, too. Charlie's first encounter with another cat in a year.
Jeroen and I took ourselves for dinner at the old souq. Delish.
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| Fresh baked flat bread, humous, chicken skewers and a huge flat fish |
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| A wander around the city |
It's time to take Charlie to the vets. Not cheap with 18KD (just under $100 NZD) needed just to open an account! But, the service and facility was excellent. Thanks Royal Animal Hospital Kuwait.
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| Bad memories of his bird-cage days |
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| Tinka's solo dance |
It's Easter, not celebrated here of course but still I spotted Cadbury Crème eggs and the like in shops.
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| Easter Greetings from Jen |
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| My little cousin, Declan exploring on the easter egg hunt for his 2nd birthday |
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| A cowboy and his...zebra! |
A typical sight in NZ - quirky mail boxes. This booted one is on Okoki Road where Shani's family live.
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| You know you're in the 'Naki |
Some very sad news while I was home were the death's of Liam and Shani's Cool Cats, Harley and Bumper. RIP boys. We all miss you.
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| Best friends |
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| RIP Harley and Bumper |
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| Al Kout Mall |
May 6, we enjoyed an wander around the Al Kout Mall in South Kuwait. It's getting hot again and dust was very irritating on my cold.
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| My favourites, bold colours and patchwork artwork adorn Al Kout Mall |
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| This is Al Kout |
This from home; a beautiful shot of CastlePoint Lighthouse east of Masterton in the lower North Island of New Zealand. Great shot, son!
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| Copyright-Liam van Dijk |
May 12 - Happy Mother's Day Mam's...a happy day to be a mum. Can't wait to give Liam and Shani a hug here in Kuwait - see you soon kids!
Remembering this beautiful woman, my Mum who died aged 29 this day 40 years ago.
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| Colleen Gail Satherley nee Scrimmager |
May 5, saw the start of the Holy month of Ramadan, a time of for 30 during daylight for 30 days striving to purify the body and soul and increase good deeds and God-consciousness. The whole Qaran is recited over the month with nightly prayers and reciting. Fasting is broken by sharing an iftar meal with family and friends.
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| Ramadan Mubarak |
Ramadan is divided into 3 parts: the first part are the days of Mercy, the 2nd 10 days are the days of forgiveness and the last 10 days are the days of forgiveness. At a 'half-way' point during the month there is a celebration evening especially for children. In Kuwait it is called Girgian (many different spellings). Dressed in traditional clothes and going house to house receiving sweets in exchange for sweets the children are encouraged to learn about Ramadan. Certainly there were many squeals coming from our neighbours on the night!
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| A selection of clothes available everywhere for children |
And Ramadan is to be observed by all in Kuwait. I read that Law No. (44/1968) prohibits eating in public places during fasting hours hence the punishment for eating in public during fasting hours is imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month and a fine not exceeding one hundred dinars or one of these penalties. (Arab Times). KD = $500NZD.
May 20, off for a home visit with BLS at Hilton Hotel where member Jean lives. Its a hot day so Janis and I were glad to hitch a ride on the golf cart to Jean's place!
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| Hitching a ride |
Jean's husband has taken up painting...well done, Dave Wright. I love your bird paintings.
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| Jean's proud of her husband's work |
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| NZ Kingfisher |
Jean and Dave have two adult children living in New Zealand so it was a home away from home feeling surrounded by NZ treasures.
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| Some of the BLS |
Afterwards Janis and I went on a tiki-tour to find a trinket shop near Al Kout Mall. Down a hidden alley-way, up some rickety artificial grassed stairway and we found ourselves at Kashmir Palace. Lots of trinkets and arab/indian art and craft. Hope to return there for a better Decko. Miss you Jo, John and Lottie Crowther.
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| Kashmir Palace |
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